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Album review: MARIACHI EL BRONX – Mariachi El Bronx IV
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Album review : JON ANDERSON – Survival And Other Stories / Earth Mother Earth (2 CDs / remasters)
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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – The Stables, Milton Keynes, 14 March 2026
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Gig review: A VERY SPECIAL EVENING OF MOTT THE HOOPLE – Riverside Studios, London, 27 February 2026
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Gig review: EMERALD MOON – Le Marquee, Peyrignac, Dordogne, SW France, 7 March 2026
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Tag Archives: metal
Album review: SHINING – Animal

Spinefarm Records [Release date 19.10.18] Shining, who hail from Norway, have previously been known for extreme jazz metal, gaining many rave reviews and plaudits along the way. However, on this new album ‘Animal’, frontman Jørgen Munkeby commented, ”this new record is more … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged 80s, album, Animal, Jørgen Munkeby, melodic, metal, review, rock, Shining, snythwave
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Quick plays: DREAM CHILD, THE UNITY, PLASTIC TEARS

DREAM CHILD Until Death Do We Meet Again Frontiers [Release date 14.09.18] Dream Child is formed around former Dio guitarist Craig Goldy, who is joined by fellow Dio member drummer Simon Wright, former Ozzy/Whitesnake bassist Rudy Sarzo, Wayne Findlay (ex-MSG) … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews, Quick Plays
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Tagged album, Angels With Attitude, Craig Goldy, Dio, Dream Child, Gamma Ray, glam, Jollymon, melodic metal, metal, Plastic Tears, pop rock, review, Rise, rock, Slimboy, The Unity, Until Death Do We Meet Again
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Gig review: ROSE TATTOO & GIRLSCHOOL – 02 Islington Academy, London, 13 September 2018

Rose Tattoo’s first appearance in London in far-too-many years and it was hotly anticipated. And for those not familiar with the Aussie rock band, led by the short in stature but no way in attitude Angry Anderson, they formed in … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged Angry Anderson, gig, GIRLSCHOOL, Islington Academy, Kim McAuliffe, live, London, metal, NWOBHM, punk, review, rock, rock 'n' roll, Rose Tattoo
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Album review: DORO – Forever Warriors, Forever United

Nuclear Blast [Release date 17.08.18] Doro Pesch celebrates thirty five years in metal with the release of her twentieth album and to mark this special occasion it is a double album called Forever Warriors, Forever United. Her band remains that of guitarists … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews
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Tagged album, Amon Amarth, Doro, Doro Pesch, Forever United, Forever Warriors, Johan Hegg, Lemmy, metal, metal queen, review, Warlock, Whitesnake
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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) October 2018 – December 2018

Compiled by Jason Ritchie October 2nd LED ZEPPELIN by LED ZEPPELIN Reel Art Press (50th anniversary illustrated book) 5th ANTHRAX ‘State Of Euphoria’ (30th anniversary re-issue) Island Records BAD TOUCH ‘Shake A Leg’ Marshall Records BEHEMOTH ‘I Loved You At … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases)
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Tagged 2018, album, AOR, Bluray, CD, December, DVD, heavy rock, melodic rock, metal, New releases, November, October, progressive, rock
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Upcoming: New releases (CD/DVD) July 2018 – September 2018

Compiled by Jason Ritchie July 6th BARENAKED LADIES ‘Stunt 20th Anniversary Edition’ (CD/DVD) Parlophone DEVILDRIVER ‘Outlaws Till The End’ (country covers album) Napalm Records JUDY DYBLE ‘Earth Is Sleeping’ Acid Jazz Records A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS ‘Ascension’ IMMORTAL ‘Northern Cross’ … Continue reading →
Posted in Album News, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases)
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Tagged 2018, album, AOR, August, Bluray, CD, DVD, heavy rock, July, melodic rock, metal, New releases, progressive, rock, September
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Upcoming: UK & Ireland Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2018)

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Your tour not listed? Contact us! Updated 10/12/18 FESTIVALS THE GREAT BRITISH ROCK AND BLUES FESTIVAL Fri 18 Jan-Mon 21 Jan 2019 Butlins Skegness Resort Focus … Continue reading →
Posted in Gigs and Tour News, NEWS, Upcoming (Tours & Releases)
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Tagged 2018, AOR, gigs, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock
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Gig review – STONEDEAF FESTIVAL – Newark Showground, 25 August 2018

This festival had my attention from the first announcement. A group of enthusiasts lamenting the demise of the old one day Monsters Of Rock festivals wanted to resurrect the format for those sick of the multi day, multi stage festivals. … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 25th August 2018, Andy Copping, Anvil. Massive Wagons, Blaze Bayley, Chrome Molly, Dave Sabo, Dragonforce, Fallen Mafia, festival, Graham Bonnet, Krusher, Lemmy, metal, Monsters Of Rock, Motley Brew, MSG, Newark Showground, Quireboys, Rainbow, rock, Skid Row, Spike, Stonedeaf, Wolfsbane, ZP Theart
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Upcoming: European, USA & World Tour Dates and Gig Listing (2018)

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Please check with venue and/or relevant website(s) to confirm availability. Updated 04/12/2018 ACCEPT 2019-01-31 Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, FL (70000 Tons of Metal) US 2019-04-20 Wuppertal (Stadthalle) DE 2019-04-21 Leipzig (Haus Auensee) DE 2019-04-22 Hamburg (Mehr! Theater) DE … Continue reading →
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Tagged 2018, AOR, dates, Europe, gigs, melodic rock, metal, pop, progressive, rock, ROW, Tour, USA
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Gig review: GRAHAM BONNET BAND – The Tivoli, Buckley, 24 August 2018

Since we last saw the honourable Graham Bonnet, he has turned 70. In the interim he’s been gigging with Schenker, playing festivals, and recording a new album. This is a great credit to Bonnet - in a topsy-turvy world that … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, Radio interview
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Tagged 24 August 2018, Buckley, Doomsday Outlaw, gig, Graham Bonnet, Graham Bonnet Band, hard rock, metal, North Wales, review, The Tivoli
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Album review: HALESTORM – Vicious

Atlantic [Release date 27.07.18] I thought I’d died and gone to heaven when I heard Halestorm’s fabulous 2009 eponymous debut. And it remains one of my favourite female fronted rock albums of the last decade and beyond. But frankly, for … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Halestorm, hard rock, Lzzy Hale, metal, review, Vicious
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Album review: DEE SNIDER – For The Love Of Metal

Napalm Records [Release date 27.07.18] Former Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider’s forthcoming fourth solo album “For The Love of Metal” is his heaviest yet, obviously, he is well known as a great hard rock singer but this shift to metal … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Arch Enemy, Dee Snider, For The Love Of Metal, Hatebreed, Jamey Jasta, Killswitch Engage, Lamb Of God, metal, Napalm Records, review, Twisted Sister
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Album review: ALLY THE FIDDLE – Up

Gentle Art Of Music [Release date 14.09.18] Think of rock fiddle players and you can probably name the significant on one hand. Jerry Goodman? Darryl Way? Jean-Luc Ponty? Female rock fiddle players may be more of a challenge. Anna Phoebe? … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Ally Storch, Ally The Fiddle, fusion, instrumental, Jazz rock, Jerry Goodman, metal, progressive, review, Up, violin
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Backstage Hero: ROB TOWN

Rob Town of Stampede Press and Lightning In A Bottle, which was recently formed with former Little Angels and current Wayward Sons singer Toby Jepson, gives us some insight on working in the music business and his days in Panic … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Backstage Heroes
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Tagged Gene Simmons, interview, Lightning In A Bottle, metal, PR, Rob Town, rock, Stampede Press, Toby Jepson
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Album review: MONSTER TRUCK – True Rockers

In this hour special first broadcast on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Pete Feenstra chats to Monster Truck guitarist Jeremy Widerman, playing tracks from the album ‘True Rockers’. Mascot Records [Release date 14.09.18] 18 months after their breakthrough album ‘Sittin’ … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, blues, Brandon Bliss, Canadian Rock, Dee Snider, Deep Purple, grunge, Jeremy Wilderman, John Lord, Jon Harvey, metal, Monster Truck, punk, review, Rod Stewart, Sittin' Heavy, southern rock, Steve Kiely, The Tubes, True Rockers, ZZ Top
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EP review: EPICA – Epica vs Attack On Titan

Nuclear Blast [Release date 20.07.18] This EP features Epica covering songs based on the Japanese anime ‘Attack On Titan’. It features four songs (along with an instrumental version of each song) originally written and composed by Revo of Linked Horizon (who is a fan of … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Single and EP reviews
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Tagged anime, EP, Epica, Epica vs Attack On Titan, melodic, metal, review, Revo, Simone Simons, symphonic metal
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Gig review: STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL DAY 3 – 29 July 2018

There was a tentative start to Sunday as the dreadful weather continued with what can only be described as monsoon rains decided to throw in some 40mph gusts for good measure. The organisers opened the arena early so those in … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 29 July 2018, Barry Mills, Black Star Riders, day 3, Ebbw Vale, gig, Ginger Wildheart, Mason Hill, Massive Wagons, metal, review, Ricky Warwick, rock, South Wales, Steelhouse Festival, The Dead Dasies, The Dust Coda, The Quireboys, the Wildhearts, Thin Lizzy, Those Damn Crows
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Gig review: STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL DAY 2 – 28 July 2018

When the weather is already a little inclement, you’re tempting fate slightly when the first band of the day play their tracks “Hurricane” and “Thunder Child”, but that’s exactly what The Bad Flowers did. If the rain hadn’t woke everybody … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 28 July 2018, Aaron Buchanan, Alan Nimmo, Alterbridge, blues, Dan Reed Network, Day 2, Deep Purple, Ebbw Vale, funk, gig, Glenn Hughes, Heavens Basement, King King, metal, Myke Gray, Myles Kennedy, review, rock, Skin, Slash, South Wales, Steelhouse Festival, the Bad Flowers, Wales
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Gig review: STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL DAY 1 – 27 July 2018

Even if you have never been to Steelhouse Festival, you may have heard tell of the road up the top of the mountain that is home to the highest festival in the UK. I can assure you, all these stories … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 27 July 2018, Day 1, Ebbw Vale, Fragile Things, gig, Heavens Basement, metal, Motorhead, Nickelback, Phil Campbell, review, Rich Moss, rock, South Wales, Steelhouse Festival, Stone Broken, The Bastard Sons, The Departed, Wales
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Quick plays: SULPHER, NIGHT DEMON, DANIEL TRIGGER

SULPHER No One Will Ever Know SPV/Oblivion [Release date 31.08.18] Suplher formed back in 2000 by vocalist/guitarist Rob Holliday (Marilyn Manson/The Prodigy) and drummer Steve Monti, who has worked with the likes of Gary Numan and the Jesus and the Mary … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
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Tagged album, alt rock, Daniel Trigger, Industrial, live, Live Darkness, melodic rock, metal, Night Demon, No One Will Ever Know, review, SPV, Sulpher
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Album review: GRAHAM BONNET BAND – Meanwhile, Back In The Garage

Frontiers [Release date 13.07.18] One of the pleasing things in rock over the past few years is the rejuvenation of Graham Bonnet. Welcomed back to the Michael Schenker multi-vocalist fest, and with a handful of tours and festivals under his … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
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Tagged album, Graham Bonnet, Graham Bonnet Band, hard rock, Joey Tafolla, Meanwhile Back In The Garage, metal, review, Russ Ballard
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Gig review: THUNDERSTICK – Leo’s Red Lion, Gravesend, 28 July 2018

Back in the early 80s after a three-album stint with Samson, masked drummer and NWOBHM pioneer Thunderstick (Barry Graham Purkis) formed a band of the same name. Female-fronted, first with Ana Marie Borg then with Jodee Valentine, it allowed Purkis … Continue reading →
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
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Tagged 28 July 2018, classic rock, drummer, gig, Gravesend, Leo’s Red Lion, metal, NWOBHM, review, Samson, Thunderstick, Viixen
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Quick plays: DESTINIA, THE RADIO SUN, RAT SCABIES

DESTINIA Metal Souls Frontiers [Release date 13.07.18] Destinia is the new project featuring Japanese shred merchant Nozomu Wakai, who has released two albums to date under his own name – ‘Requiem For A Scream’ (2014) and ‘Anecdote Of The Queens’ … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
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Tagged album, Beautiful Strange, Destinia, Frontiers, Lords Of Black, melodic, metal, Metal Souls, Nozomu Wakai, Rainbow, Rat Scabies, review, rock, Ronnie Romero, shred, The Damned, THE RADIO SUN
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Album review: SAXON – Reissues (Innocence Is No Excuse, Rock The Nations, Destiny)

BMG [Release date 10.08.18] BMG complete their run of the CD remasters from Saxon and take in the mid to late 80s. This trio of albums by the NWoBHM legends are often overlooked, and looking back now they are far … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
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Tagged album, Biff Byford, Destiny, heavy rock, Innocence Is No Excuse, metal, reissue, review, Rock The Nations, Saxon
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Quick plays: MOB RULES, MIKE VASS

MOB RULES Beast Reborn SPV/Steamhammer [Release date 24.08.18] Mob Rules have been around for awhile now and although never reaching the heights of popularity of some fellow power metal bands, they have built a large and loyal following. Their latest album … Continue reading →
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays
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Tagged albums, Beast Reborn, folk, melodic, metal, Mike Vass, Mob Rules, Notes From The Boat, power metal, review, rock, symphonic metal
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